Scrappy giveaway!!

Go over to lifeaslou.blogsome.com and check out the incredible Cosmo Cricket giveaway she is hosting.. hurry though! It is only open until Jan 2! While you are there check out the terrific Christmas book she has put together.. It is GO-JUS!
BTW- I started a new blog over at wordpress. It is a reading challenge blog.. I am challenging myself to read at least 1 book a week and post about it when I am done. I read so much and have no idea what books I have already experienced so I figured what better way to keep track!! Come join me! Jan's Reading Blog and if anyone can come up with a great idea for a blog header I would love to hear it!

ANOTHER great book giveaway!

I do believe I should create a new blog about book giveaways!
I wish could giveaway stuff myself but I hoard my books like gold! lol
If you check out Bittenbybooks.com they are having a giveaway of 15 copies of Jeanine Frost "At Grave's End" ARCs. can't wait to read this one! That Bones is just.. yummy!

another one!! Twilight giveaway this time!

Let me start by saying I LOVE the books!! I saw the movie last Monday.. I will give no review or spoilers (no spoilers because if you read the book, you know what happens and if you didn't read the book you probably wouldn't like the movie or care about it anyway, right? ) anyway, saw it and am planning on rereading the books soon..
Great news! The Twilight box set is being given away on Bitten By Books! Go check it out! The contest is open til Dec. 7th to US residents only.. sorry!

love Kelley Armstrong as much as I do? A giveaway!

Kelley Armstrong readers have I found a giveaway for you!

Amberkatze's blog has a terrific interview with KA herself with a chance to win a KA book of your choice!
How sweet is that? Go check it out! If you already have all the KA books you could always give the book to me! It is the holiday season after all! The season to give!! *wink*

Got Vintage? gorgeous giveaway on another blog! check it out!

I was browsing through my blog list today and came across a giveaway! You know how much I ADORE vintage stuff!
Here is the blog address! Go check it out! This Everyday Life Can't you picture that vase set on my mantle? I can!
BTW- I am at Moms on my old laptop.. a few keys don't work anymore so apologies ahead of time for typos!

bitter travel tip

Hi all.. sorry to write this on a happy?? blog but I am beyond pissed right now and need to get this off my chest..
As some of you know I went away to Arizona a few weeks ago and was on my way to Roncari parking to leave my car for the week. That is where I usually go but it was so early I saw another place and went there instead.. I went to Fasttrack parking on Ella Grasso turnpike. I got there and had change for tolls and other incidentals in a side drawer in my dashboard. I know better I just didn't think to take it out.. (If you are a reader and like mysteries like I do I am sure you know where this is going..) I got back tired, happy and thirsty..(there is a 24 hour McD's across the street I hit up for a diet coke every time I come home) I opened my drawer and EVERY quarter was gone.. They didn't bother with the pennies, nickels or dimes but EVERY SINGLE quarter was gone! I hadn't started my car yet so I went back in and told the woman that #1 I take responsibility because I know better than to leave things like that in my car. I took out all the other things.. cds, flashlight even the blanket in the back seat!
So anyway #1- my fault #2 I don't want to make a thing about it since it is my fault I just wanted them to be aware and the woman looked pissed! She said there had been a problem for the last 2 weeks and they can't figure out who it is.. She asked me to fill out a report and I said no since I didn't want reimbusrsement.. it WAS my fault (I know I keep saying that.. I just want you to KNOW I KNOW lol) She asked me to fill it out in order to help them catch the guy.. I agreed and signed my name to a statement. She told me someone would call me the next day.. No one called but I didn't think much of it.. I was beat and rested the entire day trying to recover from such a great trip and begining to not feel good ( now I know I either have an ulcer or gall stones.. blech..) Anyway, all was forgotten since I hadn't wanted to make a thing of it anyway .. until today..
I got a letter from Fasttrack saying that they thank me for my business and nice try but I won't be getting $20 out of them ($20 was the minimum of .25 that were there ) The entire letter was rather blah and we told you not to leave things there then not a biggie.. I KNOW that! The thing that got me so riled was 1 line of highlighted text in the middle that says (and I quote) "We have a contract. YOU signed it. READ IT It;s not OUR fault."
Seriously? Snarky or what? SO pissed off and now my ulcer (or whatever) hurts even more! lol I think I need another vacation! Of course I wil ask for a ride to the airport next time!
If you are still with me.. thanks for being my friend and listening..

Creative Escape.. leaving in 3 days! YIKES!

I haven't done a thing to get ready! (except for my hair!) It is such a busy time for me and I am shutting down! I *need* to do laundry, pack my supplies and clothes and get all the little stuff together.. including getting a fish sitter..
I am finishing up the little stuff tonight while watching Nascar in California (a night race, Tony is 10th right now.. 100 laps to go..) Then tomorrow I do laundry and pack and get my PT INR checked to make sure I won't bleed to death or clot on my trip (nice thought huh? welcome to my life!) Tuesday I get my pink retouched, go to the clinic to pick up my meds and finish with the little stuff.
I am looking forward to my trip but it is stressful. I get to the point where I think "why am I doing this" silly I know. It may truly be my last vacation of this type for a long long time.
More big news. I got an apartment. I get the keys on the 15th (well, the 16th. the 15th I am having another tooth pulled! GRRR kids- take care of your teeth like you should! If you need to know why call, I'll tell you ALL the gory deets!)
So, the apartment.. because I am on disability I obviously can't just go for any nice sparkly new apartment. I can't afford the rent never mind have lights and heat too! The solution? Disability/Elderly housing. Am I excited? Kind of. I do wish my life were different but it's not. I need to make the best out of it. This is affordable , clean and warm. I shouldn't ask for anything else.
It is actually nice. The one down side is the smoky smell in the hallways. yuck.. The smell is in the apartment as well but I was promised it will be cleaned and the smell taken care of.
I need to get a doctors note to keep my cat though! lol I have to prove my quality of life will be less if I gave him up.. well duh! lol This of you that know me know I have 2 cats.. SHHH! I always have been a rule breaker!
So anyway, that is a small portion of what is going on with me.. can you blame me for shutting down? I have so much to do and am finding it hard to do any of it. I am just overwhelmed.. It will all turn out fine though. I know that but if you want to pray for me I won't refuse!
I will be back next Sunday (the night of True Blood premiere on HBO! YAY!!) I will be sure to post about my vacation and the projects I did next week! I got a new camera so I can even post good pics!

Creative Escape 2008 and pink hair?!

I did it! I got my hair cut and highlights for my CE trip.. what else? I got pink hair! Yes I did! I turned 34 today and figured I am not getting any younger so go for it! Please excuse the horrible mess behind me. It has been a busy (and messy) week here! I just wanted to post a few pics.. I will write later!

amazing new class! Memories Under Glass!

You guys have got to check out this new class from Scrap n Crop called Memories Under Glass.. You can check it out Here They are giving away a free class seat if you post a comment on the blog by August 7th! Hurry!

Getting on board with the Life thing..

It is hot.. It could get up to 96 today! I have had my air conditioner in my bedroom on for 2 days straight! I went outside to uncover the ac in Moms bedroom and turned it on today (note to self.. need ac filters for both our bedroom ac's) I just have to put the extra one in my office window. That is the only one we take out during the winter.
Anyway, onto good stuff. Once the ac's are all on and cold I am going t do a "clean Sweep" in here. I started in my bedroom already when I got my fish tank (I got a fish tank for the first time in YEARS last week. I got Molly fish.. 1 died the night she came home. I don't think it was my fault! It happened too fast..) I threw out paper, stickers, old letters, hair ties.. anything that was too gross or ripped to sell went in the trash.. The same is going to happen in my office..I get so many scrapbook kits each month that I am saving the bagged kits and am being super ruthless with the rest! Obviously I don't want to fill the landfills with good stuff so I will try to salvage some stuff to give away or sell but so much of it was tossed mindlessly and is now ripped or bent.. I wish I had kept better care of my stuff from the start. Then I wouldn't have to do this super sweep every other year! I think I am a mini hoarder.. It isn't piled up to the ceiling but it is alot o stuff. I didn't need it. It was just pretty.. or even just there..
I have also taken a class with my Aunt Joni at AC Moore the other day. We took a One Stroke painting class. It was fun. I now know how to make rose buds and leaves! lol I think I am going to take her to another one this month. There are 2 - 1 for Sunflowers and 1 for Daisies.. I think I would rather do Sunflowers.. Then I would think you just shrink it down a bit and get a daisy, you think?
THEN, I have to really get going on my swaps for Creative Escape coming up in September. The swaps are due in about a month. I took charms, 8X8 double pages, playing cards, paint can swap and... I think that might be it! lol Anyway, I have 1 set of 8X8 pages (I signed up for 2 sets) done and most of my charms. I guess that means I need to get off the computer huh? lol Okay, here I go.. wish me luck! lol

Bad Broke Blogger!

I know I haven't blogged much.. I have been so busy!
May I vent a bit here? I am BROKE! I had some major dental work done two weeks ago and had to take out a credit to pay for it! The cost was $9500! So, I took out 10,000. I got my upper teeth done all nice and pretty now I NEED a root canal done on a lower tooth! UGH! SO, I needed to ask for another $1000 because a stinkin' root canal will cost $1900! UH.. It is pricey because I go to a sedation dentist. He puts you out and wakes you up when it is all over. I really wouldn't want to have any of it done while awake! Especially the last one. We were able to do it all in one day (4 hours!) instead of coming back over a number of visits because I was put out.
Now, after the 10,000 one I was able to find out what I needed to pay each month and decided I would do double payments each month. Then I figured out how much I had left and I was able t make plans to go to a weekend crop the first weekend in May, get a new laptop (with payments) and buy myself and Mom new dresses for G's Bar Mitzvah. I swear the second I did all that my tooth began to throb! UGH.. it is abscessed and because of what tooth it is of course it will cost more than any other! I am so blessed that I am able to do all of this. I think back a few years to when I would have had to just deal with the pain. I wouldn't have this old laptop, never mind a new one! A new dress? AND able to buy one fr Mom? Forget it! My life has changed for the better and granted I worked hard to change it but I know I didn't do it alone! I had the support and faith of my family and since I am a believer, I had God rooting for me too! I have never been alone! Even when I felt alone I have my cats to remind me! I swear they know when you are ill or down! Sweet boys!
Anyway, That is my money vent for now! At least I am healthy and happy! Even if I can't afford anything unnecessary for the next 30 years! lol I vow to have a good day! It will be in the mid 70's today so I am headed outside to re-pot some plants and clean up the flower garden for planting.. I hope you have a good day too!

tagged!

1. What is your favorite color? *** spring green
2. What color are your socks right now? **no socks.. I hate socks!
3. What are you listening to right now? *** The Today show
4. What was the last thing you ate? *** home made fattening (but yummy)Mac and Cheese
5. Can you drive a stick shift? *** I used to be able to.. not sure if I still could..
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? *** blue
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? *** aunt Mary
8. How old are you today? *** 33
9. Favourite drink? *** water
10. What is your favourite sport to watch? *** NASCAR
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? *** Yep
12. Favorite reality TV show? *** Big Brother
13. What was the last movie you watched? *** Enchanted
14. Favourite day of the year? *** Any day I wake up seems pretty good to me!
15. What do you do to vent anger? *** write
16. What was your favourite toy as a child? *** Barbies
17. What is your favourite, fall or spring? *** I like both equally..
18. Hugs or kisses? *** Hugs
19. Cherries or blueberries? *** do I HAVE to choose? love them both
20. Chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin? *** Chocolate chip
21. Favourite dessert? *** tiramisu
22. Living arrangement? *** In a house
23. When was the last time you cried? *** about a month ago
24. What is on the floor of your closet? *** shoe boxes and a pair of sweatpants the cat keeps pulling down to sleep on
25. What did you do last night? *** I knitted a few squares for my blanket, listened to an audio book then went to sleep early
26. What inspires you? *** Too much to even start to list
(Um, where are 27 through 29?)
30. What are you afraid of? *** fire, living to be more than 100! lol
31. Plain, cheese, or spicy burgers? *** plain
32. Favourite breed of dog? *** Boxers
33. Favorite car? *** I love Toyota Highlanders!
34. Favourite day of the week? *** I like them all!
.35. How many states have you lived in? *** just one
36. Favorite breed of cat? *** Siamese!
37. Ever driven a motorcycle or heavy machinery? *** yes and yes! wouldn't say I was good at either one though! lol
38. Who is your favourite NFL team? *** Since I live in New England I would have to say the Patriots (not a football follower though!)
39. Do you have a house phone that is not cordless? *** Yes, in case of power outages.
40. 10 inches of snow or 100 degree weather? *** give me the snow baby!!

Hapy Easter to you!

Not much to say but I wanted to post a picture of the yummy cake I made for Easter dessert. It is regular old yellow cake with buttercream icing and tinted coconut.

ENJOY! (I make cakes to sell if you need one!! All celebrations!)

j.

GORGEOUS Quilt giveaway!!

Do you love quilts? I do! I used to love big fluffy comforters but now I find that handmade quilts give me more "comfort".
There is a beautiful quilt up for grabs at Old Red Barn Isn't it beautiful? I have a picture of the quilt in my side bar but be sure to click on that link to check it out along with the details. If you don't win that there are 2 other prizes.. gift certs to Old Red Barn store.. I have not shopped there before but I am going to give it a good look! You know what a sucker I am for hand made things!!
Happy St. Patrick's Day all!!

Creative Escape! why do I think I am so ambitious?!

I am headed to Creative Escape in September.. Great! I can't wait for the event! Can't wait to see Heidi again, meet Tim Holtz, Kolette Hall and her husband (great inspirations! both of them!), Jenni Bowlin.. a few others.. all of them I am dying to meet!! I can't wait to see the project classes they come up with! Especially the winner of the CE teacher spot! Jessica Guthrie. She runs a great store Kits2remember I bought my Bind It All from her with a few acrylic pieces for some mini books (that I haven't made yet! lol)
ANYWAY, the reason for this rant.. There are still a few months left BUT... why do I think I am so ambitious? I signed up for every single swap, project, event associated with the CE event! lol I signed up for the bracelet charm swap.. I have done a few before and I love to show off my awesome piece of wearable artwork! I get tons of compliments on my Christmas and Valentine ones! THEN I signed up for the 8X8 page swap.. no biggie, only 10 spaces for each group on that one.. (I took 2 groups) THEN, I signed up for the ATC swap.. THEN I signed up for.. well, you get the idea!! I guess I had better start with some of them now! lol I always say I work best under pressure.. I say that because I always work under pressure! I am such a last minute person that I don't know what working with plenty of time feels like! lol I would like to find out!
Oh well, it will all work out and be tremendous fun in the end! I will let you know how it all works out!
I am going to work on the circle journal I am doing (for CE of course) now.. Having fun with that one!
Wish me luck!

more cakes, more cats and trash..

I am sooo tired! It has been such a long week! I began my Wilton 1 decorating class last Tuesday. I made my first batch of "Wilton icing" last night.. It was thick.. I tried to frost a cake and ripped the poor thing to pieces! I am going to bring the icing in with tears in my eyes and cry.. whyyyyy? lol Seriously.. I think it has been so many years of "eyeballing" the perfect icing recipe that I am just used to mine, YKWIM? I did manage to make a rose though! lol
Mishka is still kind of sick. He is acting better but I need to have him on a special acidic diet and he hates the food! Apparently cats are not supposed to eat dry food. That is hard to do.. They both love dry food. I put about 1/2 cup down for each of them a night and for them to not have it is... well.. loud! lol They are Siamese don't forget.. talkers! big time! lol Anyway, things will turn out fine.. They are strong guys and I will do what has to be done.. even through the crying..(mine!lol)
Finally the last task of the day.. Trash... ugh! WHY do I keep it all for the night before pick up? I just hauled out 5 bags of trash! My lungs are beat! It is cold and I am tired! Being a dummy though.. I put a load of laundry in the dryer.. I am one of "those" people who can not leave the house or go to bed with the dryer running. We had a dryer fire when I was little and I still recall the smell.. and I still mourn the loss of the tiny rose bud flannel might gown my Mom had just finished sewing for me! I LOVED it! I wore it for 5 night straight until she finally pried it away from me to wash.. if I had only held out a little longer! lol oh well, funny the things I remember, huh?
Well, dryer is almost off.. night!!!

Hi again! Questions, cakes, cats and cards!

I am a terrible blogger, aren't I? I made a promise to myself that I would blog at least once a week.. well, that didn't work out now did it? lol I am actually wondering if I switch to a pay site if it would "remind" me to blog.. Does anyone have any tips on how they keep up with things like this? Let me know!!
Cakes.. I am so excited! I signed up for the Wilton 1 class.. I know the basics of cake design from the "Wedding Cake Era". Mom made wedding cakes for everyone she knew when I was little. I can recall sitting at the kitchen table (on her lap!) while she made the little roses out of sugar frosting. Then they would set and I would help put them on the cakes! I still know how to do the things we used to do even after 20 years but I am dying to learn how to do the gorgeous fondant cakes I see out there. I figured I may as well begin at the beginning, right?! My first class is this Tuesday so I will let you know how it goes!
Cats.. Mishka was terribly sick a few weeks ago.. I loaded him and Mom into the Toyota and away we went to the Pet ER on a Sunday (are you seeing dollar signs yet? At the time all I saw was a sick kitty but now.. well, now the $$ signs are lining up! lol) Turns out he had a Lower Tract Infection. I had to give him 4 days of antibiotics then load them back up a week later and do a re-check. I get there to find a surprised vet.. Why am I there so soon? Well, because YOU gave me 4 days of meds and made an appt. for a re-check in 1 week.. What? It was a mistake? So now I need to pay more for more meds (have you ever tried to give a cat a pill? Ouch!) and come back in fourTEEN days... gotcha.. what? Oh no.. no problem at all.. The cat just LOVES to go for a ride (NOT). So, Monday I need to re-load my cat, my disabled Mom and my check book (re-check is free but I am sure he will come up with something that will cost me!) and drive 30 minutes away... again... Thank God for Mom! It isn't easy for her to g out but she does so she can try to keep the cat in the back seat and out from under my feet (and the brake!) If you are of the praying persuasion could you keep Mishka in your daily prayers? He seems find but at 8 he isn't a toddler anymore.. He acts like an old man! lol
Cards.. I haven't had a chance to sit down and do anything lately! I managed to do the circle journal for my Creative Escape group and 2 cards for a SU Occasions mini swap. I used the sets One Smart Cookie and Time For You. I will post the cards later on.. Now I need to get to an ATM machine.. central CT got between 5-9 inches of snow last night and our "guys" are here to shovel the walks.. I am broke so I need to run get them some $$.. Vets and shovelers.. 2 people I am happy to pay for! lol
Have great day all!

quilt related blog candy

WOW! I knew it had been along time since I posted but I had NO IDEA it had been so long! I found some great blog candy on Quilt Nut Creations Go check it out!
I PROMISE I will begin posting with more regularity. I also promise to start putting up some blog candy o my own! I am Clean Sweeping out my home this Spring and what doesn't go is going into a dumpster.. Harsh but I need it! I have thins that I don't recall even liking before never mind not recalling the buying process! I have an illness.. an addiction.. some people say that jokingly but I don't think it is a joke with me.. I have way too much "stuff" to have purchased rationally.. Lucky for you! You guys will be the recipients of the fruits of my illness! So, keep an eye out!
Speaking of keeping an eye out! Don't forget it is nearly SAB time! I you don't have a SAB brochure be sure to drop me a line to let me know! I will get you one right away!
Have a blessed day!